Teen Mom‘s Amber Portwood left devastated by the loss of her father

Teen Mom star Amber Portwood has been left heartbroken after her father, Shawn Portwood Sr., died on Thursday, Dec. 16, following liver surgery. He was 50 years old.

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Amber’s brother Shawn Jr. revealed the news of his father’s passing in a heartbreaking statement to the Daily Mail.

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“My dad passed away last night. He was 50. He was put in an induced coma on Friday after liver surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center. We are making burial arrangements now,” he said. “My dad was the most important person in Amber’s and my life. He was a very strong-willed person and even though he was battling illness for a very long time, he never gave up.

“He didn’t give up on life. He didn’t give up on his family. He didn’t want to give up. I like to think that he was able to see my son, Eli, for the last time before he died. He lived through pain for many years but it didn’t prevent him from sticking it through all the way to the end,” Shawn continued.

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The Teen Mom star also confirmed the sad news via Twitter, where she thanked everyone for their love and support during this “heartbreaking” time.

I just want to say thank you to everyone for all your kind words.This is a heartbreaking time for my family your prayers help..love always❤

— Amber Portwood (@AmberLPortwood) December 18, 2014

A few days before her father’s death, Amber had reached out to fans and asked for their prayers.

Everyone please pray for my father he's in ICU…I appreciate it and sending love always💕

— Amber Portwood (@AmberLPortwood) December 14, 2014

Amber has struggled with her own personal demons, which were well documented on the reality TV show and according to Us Weekly, her dad was instrumental in her recovery following her 17-month stint in prison.

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Our thoughts are with Amber and her brother, and the rest of their family during this sad time.